Brazil's national football team announcement under coach Carlo Ancelotti turned into a media spectacle. The press conference lasted for an hour and included a fun program, culminating in euphoria after the Italian tactician read out Neymar's name. Millions of Brazilians watched the television broadcast, with particular emotions running high in the homes of players hoping for a call-up. This was especially evident in the home of 38-year-old Gremio goalkeeper Weverton, whose inclusion on the squad list brought immense pride and honor.

Disappointment for Chelsea Star

However, while some were celebrating, João Pedro of Chelsea faced a different reality. The omission from the final squad list caused significant disappointment for the 24-year-old striker and his family. João Pedro had been hoping for his first appearance on the biggest football stage, but Ancelotti prioritized other players. The reaction of his family can be viewed here.

The news hit particularly hard in Ribeirão Preto, where João Pedro was born and took his first steps in football. His family and friends gathered expecting to hear his name among the 26 selected, but instead, there was silence and disbelief.

"He Was in Better Form Than Some Called Up"

Jimmie Barboza, a former footballer and close friend of the Brazilian striker, expressed his disappointment. "We are very sad because we know how much it means to him. This is his dream. We always believed he would get a call-up," Barboza said, adding, "This is a big surprise. I don't know if Ancelotti has spoken to him, but now we need to support Brazil and be with him."

Many in João Pedro's circle believe he deserved a place on the list. His childhood friend Arthur Mendonça is convinced he was more prepared than some who were called up. "I believed he would be among the travelers. In my opinion, he was in better form than some others, but we have to respect the decision," Mendonça stated.

Ancelotti: "We Are Sorry, He Deserved a Call-Up"

The decision has sparked debate due to João Pedro's impressive statistics. He has had an excellent season with Chelsea, scoring 20 goals and providing six assists. Only three players in the Premier League have scored more than him this season, and if we exclude goalkeepers, only Erling Haaland has scored more.

João Pedro received his first call-up to the senior team in 2023 from then-coach Fernando Diniz, and he was also called up by Dorival Junior. Ancelotti included him in three national team training camps, making his exclusion from the final squad list even more surprising.

In the end, the Brazilian coach acknowledged the difficulty of the decision. "We are sorry for João Pedro. Given the season he had in Europe, he probably deserved a call-up, but we decided to go with other players," Ancelotti concluded.